One page versus Two

As someone who has worked in human resources for many different organizations, I cannot begin to count the number of instances where I have encountered different opinions between supervisory and non-supervisory associates as to how things should work within the company or what the real focus was supposed to be.

In my opinion, the missing link between these two groups is boiled down to the fact that neither were on the same page, but, were functioning on two separate pages.  If you went to the bookstore, you could find this simple concept as the topic or sub-topic of several books discussing leadership, customer service, employee engagement, and employee empowerment.

From my experience, there are several possible reasons why people are not on the same page, some of which sit squarely on the shoulders of management and its failure to recognize performance, communicate effectively, train, manage/lead appropriately or in some cases, to do what is right.  Other instances sit squarely on the shoulder of the associate and involve things like the associate not buying into the mission/vision of the company, feelings of being underpaid, not agreeing with the rules, not pulling their weight or being a team player, or other individual wants or needs.

At the end of the list of excuses of why people are not on the same page, the fact remains that each supervisor and associate working for Legend Retirement Corp. must be on the same page for us to be the company we want to be.  For Legend, that page is called “Resident First.”   

“Resident First” means that we will make decisions by considering what is best for the resident versus making a decision that is purely driven by profit or avoiding penalties.

 “Resident First” also means that we will listen to our residents in order to identify their wants and needs so we can meet those needs in the best possible way.  “Resident First” also means that we will listen to our associates about what they think is best before making decisions that affect our resident and them.

I believe that it is ultimately in the resident’s best interest to live in one of our communities because, I believe that our philosophy and way of doing things is different and that the Legend way does change each resident’s life in ways that are beyond what it would be at any other community.

I am excited that I work at a company where listening is not rhetoric and decisions can and are influenced by something other than making a profit or avoiding a penalty.

I am proud to work alongside so many qualified, caring, and committed associates to change lives every day!  Let’s work together to be on the same page each day!

~ James Hull, VP, Human Resources

Wisdom

I often use long weekends to reflect on what it is that I am doing, what I have contributed to those around me, and to learn how I can improve on myself. I was sent this video today and wanted to share it for this week’s post.

Why don’t we all take a minute this Memorial Day weekend and focus on wisdom? On a better realization of ourselves and the world around us? What does wisdom mean to you?

~ Jennifer Malloy, Creative Marketing and Advertising Director

A Music and Memory Recap

A couple past blog posts were written by Legend associates JW and Jamie about the many positive effects of music with our residents dealing with memory loss. Music is one of the most powerful experiences we have; we all are moved by it and it has the ability to bring us all together. What an incredible gift, and we are all so lucky to have music in our lives.

Last week I spent some time in our South Texas communities, and joined Adante in San Antonio for their Music, Memory and Movement program in their Memory Care community. Jamie Faschingbauer and Stephen Martinez, who are both Adante’s Lifestyle Directors, hosted the program. Watching Jamie and Stephen share their energy and enthusiasm with the Memory Care residents was so powerful and rewarding for me.

Many of the residents interacted with Jamie and Stephen, shaking musical instruments and moving their arms to the words in the songs. They cheered up drastically when the music started, and seemed to enjoy the experience. I watched until the very end, when I decided to get out my iPhone and record the last song. If you watch this video until the end, you can hear the resident in the front of the room pick up his voice and carry the tune. His voice is beautiful, and my eyes filled with tears as I listened to him sing the song that probably reminded him of his childhood.  First recorded in 1939, “You are My Sunshine” became a hit when many of our residents were children. What a beautiful song to remind us all of our childhood. And what a powerful moment to watch this resident engage in the song.

Thank you to Jamie and Stephen for bringing so much joy to this resident’s life, and to so many others. Your love for the residents you care for is an inspiration to us all.

Here’s a link to the video, please watch it until the end and turn up the volume to hear him sing: http://youtu.be/KQsxO2AVX08

~ Jennifer Malloy, Creative Marketing and Advertising Director

The Only Constant…Change

Legend has experienced change recently, some exciting and some very difficult to accept.  Coping with change is never easy.  I find that I resist change because I am comfortable and secure in my world as I know it and then one day I wake up… and it changes.

Within the past couple of months our company acquired a new portfolio of communities in Fairhope and Daphne Alabama, that we named The Brennity.  Just as I start to settle in and embrace these wonderful additions to our company, we then lose our management contract for The Conservatory portfolio.

Just typing The Brennity name brings a smile to my face.  These new communities becoming part of the Legend family has been a wonderful experience.  It has been rewarding beyond words to discover and build relationships with our new residents, associates and the areas that they belong to.  I have grown very fond of the southern hospitality that draws me in, every visit, and not to mention the beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, incredible cuisine and overwhelming calm just a short trip there provides.

As I relish in the newness of these communities and the lives we are changing, I am also deeply saddened by the communities we have recently lost.  The five Conservatory communities we managed over the past year had become part of my world, the one that was comfortable and secure as I knew it.  Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about the associates and residents that called Legend their family.

As I cope with my torn emotions, accept the change I have been dealt, and think of the future of Legend I am reminded of a quote that says just what I know will come of this;

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together”.

Legend did lose an amazing group of communities that will not soon be forgotten but we have also gained a group that will be a part of the future of our “better things” to come.

~ Dara Brown, VP, Sales and Marketing

Share Your Gift

As the youngest of four girls, I was blessed to have been raised in a house where music was constantly present. My mother began singing and playing the piano at a very young age, and she is still teaching piano to this very day. My father, on the other hand, cannot carry a tune in a bucket. No joke. It’s embarrassing.

I spent my entire childhood standing on furniture, singing into a fake microphone, and performing for anyone who would listen. I was completely convinced that I was the next Amy Grant (or Sandy Patty, depending on which high notes I could hit that day). My mother tried tirelessly to teach all four of her girls to sing harmony while she played the piano and sang the lead. She dressed us up in matching dresses and toted us around to different churches to share our musical talents. Well, it quickly became apparent that my oldest two sisters took after our dad more than our mom (no offense, ladies). Fortunately, though, my sister Jenny and I were lucky enough to get a small dose of our mother’s musical genes.

Fast forward to the year 2000.  After some encouragement from my mom, I auditioned at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio and was hired to be a singer/dancer. Yay! But after almost 11 years of performing and vocally directing shows, it was time for me to move on. Or, as my husband would say, “Time to get a real job.”  And so here I am now at Adante Senior Living in San Antonio working as a Lifestyle Director. I love this position because it still allows me to utilize my creativity. And I knew from the beginning that music would play a large role in the Lifestyle program that I would create.

For our Independent Living and Cottage residents, we do regular sing-a-longs with a live musician who plays the piano and leads our residents in singing all of their favorites. For our Assisted Living residents, we have an activity called “Move to the Music” that is led by our Assisted Living Lifestyle Director, Stephen Martinez.  Stephen also comes to Adante with a strong entertainment/performance background and loves sharing his gift with our residents. Both programs have been extremely popular with our residents.

Finding a musical activity for our Memory Care residents, though, required much more thought, time and research. But after months of planning, we have designed a music program that incorporates the various senses through the residents’ active participation using simple musical instruments, choreographed movement, and singing along to favorite tunes from years past. We call our program:

 MUSIC, MEMORIES AND MOVEMENT

The levels of involvement that this activity encompasses – auditory, emotional, physical and visual – ensure greater stimulation than an average “music listening” program. According to PARENTGIVING.COM, positive results can be obtained by incorporating music into our residents’ lives.

• Music has a calming effect, providing relief from tension & stress

• Residents that participate 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week in this type of music program have increased levels of melatonin (mood regulation, lower aggression, reduced depression & enhanced sleep)

• Best results are obtained by using music from the residents’ “Courting Years”, 18-23 years old

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence states that “People with mild to moderate dementia of all types should be given the opportunity to participate in a structured group cognitive stimulation program.” This is precisely why we have developed “Music, Memories & Movement.”

 

Now Stephen and I find ourselves spending some of the BEST parts of our day in Adante’s Memory Care, sharing our GIFT with these precious residents. Stephen and I tear up when we see everyone’s excitement as we start the music. The residents sing along, follow our movements, and shake their tambourines or keep rhythm with their drums. It is, unequivocally, the coolest thing that I have been a part of since my first day at this community.

All of this to say that I am forever grateful to have found a company and a position that allows me to share my gift. YOU are blessed so that you can bless OTHERS. What’s your gift? Maybe you have been blessed with excellent leadership skills. Perhaps you have the gift of Creative Writing. Maybe you have the ability to truly empathize with your friends and family when they need you most. Whatever it is, share your gift. I challenge you to set a personal daily goal to do at least one thing every day that shares your gift with someone.

I Timothy 6:18-19 says “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. “ How great is that! Sharing your gift makes for a good foundation for the future, and allows you to TAKE HOLD OF LIFE! What more could we ask for?

 I am thankful every day for the gift of music in my life, and that I can use it to put a smile on our residents’ faces. And now that I have been blessed with 3 girls of my own, I do all that I can to make music an integral part of their lives as well.

Share your gift. Live your purpose. Be an encouragement to someone today!

 

- Jamie Faschingbauer

Lifestyle Director

Adante Senior Living

Music and Memories

Passion comes in many forms, I believe we all know and truly grasp that concept.  I wonder however, how much we think about our passion and the long term effects of that passion.  One of the word passion’s origins comes from the Greek word pathos which has several meanings within itself. However, one of these definitions stands out to me and that is “a feeling in which the mind suffers” and “the power of a life experience”.  The English word passion however, has been transformed into a powerful positive word and is used with great enthusiasm in today’s society. “ His/Her passion for the game”, “They were passionately in love”, “ I saw so much passion in their eyes”.  All are great and I think we can all relate to some of these phrases.  I just can’t help but going back to that root, and thinking of how it interjects itself into the lives of the residents that I see on a daily basis.

Music has always and will remain a huge part of my life.  I was raised with it, all types!  Merle Haggard, Jimmy Rogers, Broadway musicals (fiddler on the roof being a favorite of mine), a little rap from time to time, but mostly in recent years worship music.  I think we all go through phases on our music, but we all know that listening to that certain song that will come on to the radio conjures up an image of exactly where we were, or a certain situation we associate with a song- A break-up, a prom dance, a wedding dance, or even a funeral song.  So much emotional involved in little notes on a piece of paper and precisely organized sound waves. As I began to think about my passion for music; playing, singing, and listening to it, I began to try to wrap my mind around our residents at our communities and how long some of them have been passionate about music. As much as I think I love music, my love and passion for it is a fraction of what some of our residents hold for it. 

Well this got me thinking even more.  How does the aging mind, even into the realm of dementia, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s disease, respond to our previous passion for music.  I think we all realize the therapeutic effects of music, but what does it do for a mind that fades to the point of not remembering family members.  As I began to think about this, I recall a couple of residents that are in our memory care communities and how they can still wear a piano out.  THAT’S PASSION for MUSIC! I have seen the demonstrations of CT scans of people playing and listening to music and how the brain lights up all over, but why?  I think it really does all come back to passion!  Our passion for something that moves and shakes us to our very core is why, people with dementia can still sing an old favorite hymn, or knock out “butter beans” on the piano.   I began to look at therapies out there that deal with music and memory and you wouldn’t believe how many there are, it was amazing!  One of the most unique sites I found is http://www.musicandmemory.org. I believe based on the video testimonial we could all perform memory case studies by just sharing music with our older generation.  It is definitely a win-win situation and an experiment I am defiantly willing to try!

 

~ Jonathon Williams

Director of Building Services

Ed Turns 102!

All resident birthdays are special at Aberdeen Heights, but this month, we have a very special birthday. Ed will be turning 102 years old! Ranson Edward was born April 10, 1910 in Mobile, Alabama. He was the middle child with older and younger brothers. He married Lillie in1936 and they had 4 children.

He was a motorcycle policeman for the Mobile Police Department from November 16, 1940 until his retirement on February 25, 1969. He was the #1 man on a motorcycle in Mobile and when celebrities came to town, it didn’t matter what he was doing they pulled him off the job to escort and take care of them. Ed had the privilege of escorting the Cisco Kid, Tommy Sands,Marilyn Monroe, James Arnaz (Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke), Elvis Presley, Ann-Margaret and Mamie Eisenhower who sent him a letter and gave him a tip for taking such good care of her. He also escorted Mrs. Truman for a whole week. Ed rode his motorcycle so much in the line of duty, he burnt up three Harley-Davidson’s in his 30 years on the force! He was shot at once while just sitting in his living room by a man he was trying to track down. Thankfully no one was hurt! Ed was also Head of Security for the Mardi Gras Parade every year. In addition to his Police service he ran a landscaping business and also had a shrimp boat operation. Ed moved to Aberdeen on April 13, 2011. We are so honored to have him as a resident and we wish him a very Happy Birthday!

Alzheimer’s Disease: A Look at Current Research and a Request for Funding

A few days ago I heard Dr. Roger N. Rosenberg speak on the Dallas radio show Think about his research on the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Rosenberg is the Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Center and is the Abe (Brunky), Morris and William Zale Distinguished Chair in Neuroloy at The University of North Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He has focused his career on Alzheimer’s research, and he is passionate and devoted to understanding the disease. I was fortunate enough to work with Dr. Rosenberg several years ago and can attest to his drive, dedication and knowledge on Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease.

 

Dr. Rosenberg’s current research is focused on launching a vaccine to fight the build-up of a protein found in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The vaccine would be for those aged 60-70, who do not currently have any signs of memory loss, and whose brain water amyloid level is defined as at-risk. The vaccine will not be possible without the work of Dr. Rosenberg and individual researchers at other universities; and the research is not possible without an increase of funding. 

 

Dr. Rosenberg emphasized that genetics and age play the main role in determining who will and will not be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Based on research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a balanced nutrition does help in preventing other reasons for impairment (such as stroke or vascular disease); although research has not shown that nutrition has a direct effect on preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

 

Keeping the brain active, completing crossword puzzles and reading intellectual books all improve alertness and are helpful in maintaining insight; however these have also not been shown to have a direct effect on preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Mental exercise may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, but it has not been shown to prevent it.

 

What may have a direct effect on the Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis? Exercise. Consistent and aerobic exercise. States Dr. Rosenberg, “What’s good for the heart seems to also be good for the brain”.

 

The interview is excellent, and I highly recommend you listen to it here. Thank you to Dr. Rosenberg and so many other wonderful physicians for fighting to increase funding and research for such a terrible disease. And thank you to Think for bringing his research to the public.

 - Jennifer Malloy

To learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease and find out how you can help fund additional research, click here.

The Greatest Generation

At the age of 7, I moved to another country and lost the luxury of almost daily interaction with my grandparents.  At the age of 7 and on a new adventure, making new friends, I didn’t understand the impact that would have on me later in life.

At 45, I understand that everything happens for a reason – it is part of my faith.  It gives me peace and the ability to accept change and never give up hope no matter what life throws our way.

However, at 45 I really miss my grandparents and mourn not only their passing but all those years I didn’t get to spend time with them.  I’m filling that void with a Family Tree research project but that’s a story for another blog!

I’m also fortunate enough to share my husband’s Grandmother.  At a very active 101, she is more than a handful, with a very busy social life but what I love most are her stories (which more often than not involve poking fun at herself), her practical advice and her love of life.

All this got me to thinking – how do we capture this, the essence of the people that have been dubbed “The Greatest Generation”?

Well fortunately, Professor Karl Pillemer, a professor of human development in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University, and Professor of Gerontology in Medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College (wow), has done just that.

Check out his blog that was born of a research project: THE LEGACY PROJECT — LESSONS for LIVING from the WISEST AMERICANS

This blog, I believe, contains some of the greatest insights into the Greatest Generation as well as truly enjoyable stories and practical advice.  I have added it my favorites and make it a weekly visit as the content is kept fresh and current.

Enjoy!

Ali Britton, Director of Strategic Solutions

Words From a Resident

My wife and I entered Mirabella Assisted Living Facility in June 2008 at the urging of our two daughters and one son-in-law, but without much enthusiasm from us! I was recovering from a major intestinal surgery my wife had fallen in front of our home about 9 PM one evening. Fortunately she did not harm herself other than a nasty scalp wound and bruising on her shoulder. I was sent to two weeks of rehab and we were given to understand she could not care for me when I returned so there seemed to be no choice but assisted living. Our family checked several near-by  facilities, and they chose Mirabella, which is located within a few miles of where we had been living, a desirable location for us, but still not my idea of what we needed.

We were extremely fortunate to have a nice, two bedroom apartment available immediately, so we moved in on June 2^nd. We have never been sorry. We were somewhat surprised but gratified to develop pleasant relationshisp with several couples and individuals with whom we had similar interests. My wife started oil painting with a new friend with similar skills and they worked silently together (never talking much) in the activity room doing what they loved best! My wife passed away in February of 2011, and though I miss her deeply, I have found new friends and outlets here daily during the past year. A variety of planned activities are provided for any who wish to participate, and I have found several of interest to me.

I highly recommend Mirabella Assisted  Living Facility as a comfortable place to live for anyone with a need for help with daily living tasks.

-          Paul

Resident of Mirabella